Project Coordinator

KfW is a German state-owned investment and development bank dedicated to fostering opportunities on a global scale. Its core objectives include developing effective infrastructure, reducing poverty and hunger, and enhancing access to education and healthcare.

Job Purpose
Through KfW the European Union is financing the development of the Kenyan energy sector. The overall objective of the project is to make the Kenyan energy system more resilient, efficient, stable, clean and sustainable. This contributes to Kenya’s NDCs and climate goals by strengthening the economy, improving the quality of people’s lives and saving greenhouse gas emissions. The project implementation partners are the Kenya Generating Company PLC (KenGen), the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO) and the Geothermal Development Company (GDC).
Furthermore, the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+) offers guarantees to cover the risks of investments and to mobilise public and private financing to support partner countries in achieving their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Under EFSD+, KfW has agreed with the EU on an Energy Program which encompasses guarantees for loans and grants for various technical assistance for implementing partners such as KenGen (the EFSD+ project).
In addition to the projects mentioned above, the EU is co-funding the Digitalisation of Technical and Vocational Education Training (D4TVET) project, together with KfW and AFD. The initiatives’ objective is to better align the vocational education and training in Kenya with the needs of a digitally based economy. The project is implemented by the Kenyan Ministry of Education.
In this regard KfW will contract an external consultant as Project Coordinator for a period of 2 years (renewable) to support the implementation of the projects.

*Position located in Nairobi; regular travel required*

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate activities with the EU Delegation Kenya, Implementation Consultants, and other relevant stakeholders. Maintain regular contact with implementation partners (e.g., KenGen, KETRACO, GDC, and relevant Ministries) and, when necessary, follow up to ensure adherence to the agreed work plan.
• Provide implementation support to the implementation partners, particularly in relation to monitoring and reporting functions. Organise regular exchanges among relevant stakeholders to facilitate collaboration and information sharing.
• Ensure compliance with EU visibility requirements, such as public communication standards and branding guidelines and support implementation partners in EU visibility activities (e.g., communication campaigns and visibility events).
• Prepare and submit annual and final reports to the EU in line with specified reporting requirements. Update project factsheets and prepare presentations as needed.
• Support EU missions and respond promptly to ad-hoc requests from the EU or KfW regarding project implementation.
• Ensure compliance with EU and KfW regulations, particularly in areas such as financial reporting, procurement procedures, and adherence to environmental and social standards.
• Act as the liaison officer to the EU Delegation Kenya for Team Europe Initiatives (TEI), ensuring coordination between TEIs in Kenya.
  Analyse the economic, political, and social situation in Kenya. Inform the KfW Office Kenya of any developments that could positively or negatively impact project activities.
• Organise and participate in meetings, trainings, and field missions, in consultation with the Portfolio Managers and the KfW Office Kenya, as relevant to the projects.

Academic and Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree economics, finance, business administration, environmental & social sciences, engineering or technical studies related to energy. An academic degree in other discipline can be accepted if the candidate has undergone additional post-academic training in one of the above-mentioned areas.
• At least 8 years of proven experience in the energy sector and sound knowledge of project implementation in Kenya. Experience working with development finance institutions and cooperating with Kenyan energy utilities is seen as an added benefit.
• Experience in the implementation of projects financed by the EU will be considered as an additional asset.
• Experience in the ICT sector and digitalisation, such as knowledge of specifications of digital equipment and application of AI, is beneficial.
• Fluency and accuracy in English. Knowledge of German is an added benefit.

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong presentation skills
• Strong project management skills for handling critical path schedules, creating and overseeing plans, and managing dependencies to ensure effective project delivery
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate with a range of internal and external stakeholders
• An appreciation for a multicutural environment
• Proactive and problem-solving oriented mindset
• Demonstrated success with quantitative/analytical tasks
• Ability to apply creativity and innovation in task execution